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Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Safe Working Environments: Retail vs. Wholesale
By Gamal Newry
Oct 16, 2007 - 1:43:43 PM

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Is the Bahamian Workplace safe, not just for customers but also the employees? Before we say yes, the following should be considered.
 
1. Type of profession
2. Location
3. Hours of operation
4. Cash accessibility and availability

These four factors in my opinion will determine how this question is answered. In to day's society we are seeing a change in attitude and thus tactics.   The change in attitude is seen in were crime events are occurring from the school, to hospitals to the churches. These once considered hollow grounds are seeing increased instances of crime from minor theft to murders.
 
So can we safely say then that your career choice, will determine the level violence that you with have to deal with on a daily basis?
 
This yet is a complex question because there are other contributing factors as even professionals todays are now divided into specialties. For example, a doctor who operates a private practice will be susceptible to fraud armed robbery, than one who works in a health care facility.  
 
To elaborate on this point, let us consider the business owner of a cell phone retail store as opposed to a cell phone wholesaler. What would make either enterprise more attractive to criminal mind? Both specialize in electronics products however their delivery differs. Also let's look at how revenue is collected, the wholesaler we believe 'should' have more money than the retailer, but in what form is this money in. This is a problem that the criminal must consider as he is quite aware that the proceeds might be tied up in the form of checks, credit card payments and money transfers. So upon consideration, even though more funds are available at the wholesaler's location, it he may be more worthwhile for the criminal to make his/her robbery attempt at the retailer's location. The retailer too will have checks and credit card sale, but it is fair to say that more' cash' is perceived to be available. Also, access to the offices where the wholesaler handles monies may be difficult, whereas the retailer's cash register in some instances can be seen from the street.
 
On the flip side of this example is the action of a criminal who prefers utilizing fraudulent documents. The attraction or perceived opportunity is that there are so many forms and documents being handled by the wholesale operation he/she maybe able to receive the cell phones with the presentation of fraudulent checks or purchase orders. Both examples present the question of what actions are necessary on behalf of the perpetrator to be successful. Considering that the actions at the retailer will be more direct, and person to person, how does he/she convince the business owner to handover the cash. A gun, a note or even taking some other person like a wife or child hostage are all ways that can be utilized to persuade the business owner to hand over the cash. Where as, the thief who goes about his/her activity using fraud does not necessarily have to resort to such hostile behavior. Does this mean retail stores are more at risk than large wholesale outlets and suppliers, the numbers suggest that retail stores are more susceptible to violent crimes not necessarily less crime.
 
We must not forget location, as any marketing guru will tell you the customer has to be able to access 'easily' your product and services. But any security consultant will also tell you that a business located on a major cross road or intersection is more susceptible because of the same reasons. Maybe to easy, because everyone entering your store is not a customer, many of these persons have criminal intentions. So questions about target hardening should come to mind, how do I then make my business less attractive to would be robbers, yet not turn it into a fortress that likewise scares off my customers.
 
Time too plays a role in this equation as we have only thus far considered type of business and location, but what of operational hours. We are finding that most retailers 'must' operate into the evening as the majority of the populace works a basic 9am-5pm. Thus to be more accessible we must now stay open maybe until 7pm or 8pm.
 
You will note that a main drive to determining vulnerability is access to the target and access to assets required. At this point access must be seen as not entry and exit but also movement in and around. For example access to a bank is easy, however movement in and around that office may be restricted and limited. But how does access relate to safety in the workplace? When we consider these 5 elements of crime from the perspective of access then the relation hopefully is a bit clearer
 
1. motivation – this can be seen as lack of access to certain living conditions, that is the  perpetrators may not have available to him /her food shelter
2. opportunity – this relates back to perceived easy access to varying assets to satisfy the motivating factors addressed above,
3.  ability on the part of the perpetrator – access to resources be they tools or knowledge   a plan of action in place,
4. a reasonable expectation of escape – how will my access/exiting of the scene  be denied
5. a low probability for detection and apprehension – how accessible am I, after the vent
 
From an individual stand point, what exactly is your role in the organization, do you hold all the keys and combinations or are you the filing clerk. Your function will determine if you are a target that the criminal should be going after. Also how accessible are you for example , you   may be the filing clerk with little or no access to valuables however you are easy to reach. Then you may used as an indirect avenue to persons or individuals.
 
Gamal Newry is the President of Preventative Measures, a Loss Prevention and Asset Protection Training and Consulting Company, specializing in Policy and Procedure Development, Business Security Reviews and Audits, & Emergency and Crisis Management. Comments can be sent to P.O. Box N-3154 Nassau, Bahamas or, email; info@preventativemeasures.net  or visit us at
www.preventativemeasures.net
 
 


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